Colnago G5-X Rival XPLR AXS Bike

The Colnago G5-X Rival XPLR AXS Bike is the Italian brand's gravel platform rebuilt from scratch. Colnago describes the G5-X as an entirely new design rather than an update of the G4-X. Its stated aim is a bike that is quick on pavement, capable on rough ground, and comfortable enough for racing, long days out and bikepacking. Colnago has been building bikes in Cambiago since 1954, and this is the version of that road-racing pedigree meant for dirt.

A frame built around bigger tires

The frame is monocoque carbon, paired with a carbon disc-brake fork and fully integrated cable routing. The headline change is tire clearance: up to 53mm nominal width with 6mm of clearance around the tire. This build ships with Pirelli Cinturato Gravel RH TLR tires in 700x50, so you can ride it as delivered and still have room to move up or down depending on the terrain. For a gravel bike, tire volume affects comfort and grip more than almost any other single choice, and this frame gives you real latitude.

Colnago also revised the geometry, aiming for better handling on sketchy descents and rough gravel. Head tube angles run from 70.5 to 71.5 degrees depending on size, a relaxed front end that is designed to hold a line when the surface gets loose. Chainstays are 435mm on every size, so the bike keeps the same rear-end proportions from the 45cm to the 57cm. The round 27.2mm carbon seatpost has a 15mm offset, and Colnago says it is potentially dropper-post compatible. The company also says the round post gives more control on technical descents.

Built for long days

The G5-X is set up for carrying things. A removable plate on the down tube opens onto internal storage for a bag of tools and spares (the bag and repair kit are not included). There are six mounting points: two standard bottle cage mounts, one under the down tube, one on the top tube, and two on the fork. The frame is UDH compatible. That mix suits an all-day gravel ride, an overnight bikepacking loop, or a long road ride that stays on pavement until it doesn't.

SRAM Rival XPLR AXS, 1x13

The Rival level of SRAM's XPLR group is a sensible place to start with wireless electronic shifting. You get a 1x13 drivetrain with a 40T chainring and a 10-46 cassette, Rival AXS XPLR rear derailleur and shifters, and Rival hydraulic disc brakes with 160mm rotors. One chainring means one less thing to adjust, and the wide cassette range covers steep pitches without leaving big gaps between gears on flatter ground. Wheels are Vision TC45 Carbon, with a 45mm-deep rim profile.

The cockpit is a Deda Superzero Gravel alloy handlebar with fully integrated cables, paired with a Colnago SR10 alloy stem. The saddle is a Selle Italia Novus, and the bar tape is Colnago Grip in black. Pedals are not included. The bike comes in Carbon Green and Carbon Blue, in sizes 45, 48, 51, 54 and 57cm.

Where it fits

Colnago also offers the G5-X with SRAM Force and RED XPLR builds and an integrated CC.01 Wide cockpit. The Rival build keeps the frame, geometry and tire clearance of the more expensive versions, with a more modest groupset and an alloy cockpit. It suits riders who want a modern carbon gravel bike for mixed-surface group rides, long gravel events and loaded touring, and who would rather put their budget into the frame than the top-tier components.